Tani

I highly recommend the fried catfish. It is always perfectly cooked and flavorful. In fact, I always get either the catfish and grits or wings and waffle... not to say that the other stuff they have isn't good (the etoufee is good), but I can't pull away from my two favorites.

Thanks for the welcome, skchai. It is rumored that my Uncle Gene has many of the photos in boxes on his lanai, lest you think that isn't very secure, I tried to find them last time I was there, and failed completely as his lanai is jam packed full of stuff. The (in)famous Round Table itself is there, too. Also protected by fortresses of other stuff (others might say "junk" or worse).

My ears are burning. If any readers have stories about the old Columbia Inn (Kapiolani), I'd love to hear them. I'm Tosh Kaneshiro's granddaughter, but a katonk who was still pretty young when the place turned over to Kyotaru. Of course my family tells me some stories, but I am always on the lookout for more!

I have to jump in here, I'm psyched, wildflowers and bulbs beginning to bloom outside, seeds started inside: I'm going to try Cherokee Purple, Stupice, Tangerine, Anna Russian, Old Virginia and Box Car Willie tomatoes. All new varieties for me this go round. Although if I find an Arkansas Traveller at Buchanan's again, I'll plant it - the one tomato that made me weak in the knees last summer. Yum, yum, but only got a couple off the plant the whole summer. Also a few varieties of sweet peppers. I have a little more space that hasn't been mentally staked out for anything, for impulse gardening. Last year was my first at a new house and I did not pick a good spot for the veggie patch. This year I have a better spot and will try raised beds in the square foot-ish fashion. I love the tip about Mexican Mint Marigold!! That definitely makes it into the herb garden this year.

Reading the news reports about the mad cow found in Washington State, and the mention that contaminated feed spreads BSE, spurred me to google on grass fed beef. I've never had any; has anyone heard of/tried this Texas source for grass fed beef, lamb, and other products? Slanker's Grass-Fed Meats Have you eaten grass fed beef? Could you tell? Was it worth the extra expense? PS. These people get a bonus point for their "because they're real food" comment. I say that all the time (well, not really, only when I get into a butter-margarine debate!)

I visited this market back in May? June? when it was first getting going (4-5 vendors)...I have to admit I was less than impressed with the produce that I bought (fresh corn and heirloom tomatoes), but made a mental note to try again later. I think there was an article in the Chron when it first opened - can't think how I would have heard about it otherwise - and another one a few months later, which reported about rumblings from city inspectors regarding selling cooked products without permits. They interviewed someone who was explaining they sell fresh jalapenos, and convert them into jalapeno jelly if there are no takers, then sell the jelly. (warning: based on a decaying memory! it might have been some other fruit/veg that was being sold and/or converted to jelly...) Now I'm curious and have to go visit it again! A friend who lives right by there says that there are more cars there every week; it would be great if they can outgrow that small parking lot. It's sort of embarassing to me that Houston doesn't have a good one.

I recently returned from a too-short vacation to the Big Island and Oahu... Merriman's was very good, we ordered 4 of the appetizers, all excellent, several different main courses, and 4 of the desserts. The only thing that wasn't polished off was the kona coffee cheesecake. Don't overlook the kalua pig quesadillas, I was skeptical (it sounded too easy; I never met a kalua pig I didn't like), but the mango chili sauce was extra ono. There is a lot of flexibility in the main courses, which we all appreciated, they were good (though not mind-blowingly so). The desserts were all excellent except for the aforementioned cheesecake. We did not have time to try another restaurant that was highly recommended by some locals to us - perhaps you can try it and report back - Daniel Thiebaut's restaurant in Waimea, of the same name. Also, for candy, you can't go wrong at Kailua Candy Co. They have wonderful tropical truffles and the people there really seem to care about their chocolates.

A friend of mine bought a roasting pan and rack. She put them to use making some kind of roast beast (details, details..) "Mm, that was great! " her (now)ex said. "Don't worry, I'll do the dishes!" Hours later, still hearing noises coming from the kitchen, my friend walked in to discover her brand new nonstick roasting rack 99% scraped clean and shiny of the "burnt" nonstick coating.

I know it's past the deadline but I'm hoping you haven't judged them all yet - "You have the last piece, Clarice. Your appetite is definitely bigger than mine", Dr. Lector admitted manfully.